Legislators cautious on Malloy's agenda

State of the State: Legislators express skepticism with governor's agenda

Brian Lockhart

Published 9:45 pm, Wednesday, February 8, 2012

HARTFORD -- Moira Lyons, a former Democratic legislator from Stamford, knows a thing or two about trying to get state lawmakers to agree on policies.

As a former state Speaker of the House, she was seated next to Stamford-mayor-turned-Gov. Dannel Malloy on Wednesday as he called on the General Assembly to help him deliver a bold agenda for a so-called short-term session.

Lyons said the seemingly tireless Malloy's numerous victories during his first year in office have set the stage for a productive second year of education reforms, job creation and pension investments.

"I've always felt the success of a prior session spills over if you have a governor who's decisive, which he is, presents a vision, which he has, and will stand behind it," Lyons said.

But based on the reactions of several legislators who mulled about the House chamber after Malloy's address, the administration has work to do breaking down the governor's ambitious rhetoric into plans that avoid further tax hikes and eliminate the deficit.

"This is a real question. He didn't tell us where the money's coming from," Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, said. "I've gotten a couple of shrugs and a couple of `I don't knows' from legislative staff."

But as chairman of the Human Services Committee, Musto has to grapple with some of Malloy's savings proposals, such as benefits changes. The administration, for example, wants to save around $22.5 million in social services and mental health costs by establishing asset limits of $25,000, excluding primary residences and single vehicles.

"That ($25,000) may or may not be the right number," Musto said, adding there are concerns about further harming disadvantaged households and whether federal health care laws trump the change.

Rep. David Scribner, R-Brookfield, worried the governor's education reform plans could shift more costs to municipalities through unfunded mandates.

Democrats have typically shied away from education reforms that rankle union allies, and Godfrey said Malloy's promises to tackle the thorny issue of tenure will require teacher buy-in.

"The governor and teachers will have to sit down, hash it out and bring it to us," Godfrey said. "Tenure isn't merely job security. It's protection for the teaching profession against politics and politicians."

One of Malloy's biggest cheerleaders Wednesday was Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, who is seeking their party's nomination for U.S. Senate.

While some legislators -- including Democrats -- reportedly have issues with what they call an unnecessary aggressiveness and arrogance on Malloy's part, Tong said, "I've seen a lot of people who have come to appreciate and value his style."

Rep. Livvy Floren, R-Greenwich, also represents a portion of Stamford and is perhaps fonder of Malloy than some of her GOP colleagues.

She did not envision many Democrats bucking the chief executive.

"It's an election year," Floren said.

While the governor does not necessarily need the Republican minority to support his goals, the administration appreciates the public value of bipartisan support. Both he and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman used their Wednesday speeches to remind the General Assembly of the jobs bill Democrats and Republicans embraced in October.

Could he get Republican buy-in for some of this session's goals?

"It's all going to depend on if he does what he did with the jobs bill -- reach out to leadership and include our ideas," Floren said. "Our side doesn't take dictation well."